do you try to scare people?

[Rafael]

I like this in the "Message" translation about love, as it is love that forgives and forgets our sin that draws us near to God:

1 John 4:15 Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God.
16 We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us.
17 ¶ This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.
18 There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

Eph 5:2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

 

[MikeMcK]

im under the impression that christianity tries to scare people by saying that other people no matter how good will burn in hell or be eternally seperate from God... i dnt like it. it sounds terirble and like its a threat.

I wouldn't try to scare anyone, but if you're a sinner under conviction of the Holy Spirit, then the idea of standing before a Holy and Righteous God in the court of judgement should be terrifying.

In fact, if the idea of standing before God as He judges you doesn't frighten you, then you're probably not talking about the God of the Bible.

That's what happend to Isaiah. When he was in the temple and saw God's holiness and then saw his own sin in comparison to God's holiness, he became completely unglued and cried "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

 

[salida]

BloodFire--

Going around telling people that they will burn in hell isn't showing the love of God which is unconditional love. Those who don't receive Christ as their Savior will default to this. This isn't what God wants but because of mans fallen nature they have to be born again to be in the presense of a Holy God.

******This isn't a threat but its like walking by a person that is drowning and reaching out to help them but they keep pushing you away because they don't want your hand. They like to grab onto the tree branch that is farther away but this branch isn't going to help them because its too far away - thus, they end up drowning.

 

[tapero]

So then, we skip right past the law, man's sinfulness and need for a savior, and repentance, right to the forgiveness?

Mike, Hi again,

I saw no need for a savior, didn't feel sinful, was called by God somehow and went to a church, the pastor asked 2 questions of me and that's when I became born again.
The questions were did you commit your life to Christ and Would you die for Christ.

It was instant, the scales fell off my eyes. I was a new creation in that instant. I went outside, the whole world looked differnt for some reason, which I have never understood, but realized that it was God that created it all. Of course I had no understnding of the bible, and the pastor in his wisdom knew that only God changes men, so he told me no further then my answering the two questions asked. Upon belief we are forgiven.

Then as time went, probably shortly after not sure, I confessed my sins to God, and changed a whole lot on the outside and on the inside. I could now understand scripture. I hungered for God with great appetite.

Just saying all this to show you, that people don't always see a need for a savior, they may not repent until after they are saved. They may not see their sinfulness.

Many come to Christ in differnt ways. It is good to keep this in mind. In China some come by dreams. Same as with othre countries that prohibit Christ, as if they could.

I was called, have no clue why I heard but I did and am thankful. Can't imagine life without God, and He saved me from the pit.

My main point is that many come to Christ, not knowng they have need of a savior, no clue about repentence, have never read the bible, even if they could they wouldn't hear it.

They come becasue they've been called as we all have, but some who are called have no clue as to why they heard the call then and not sooner.

The gospel is simple..

Blessings,
tapero

 

[heron]

There is so much more to life with God than escape from Hell! If we focus on avoidance, then we miss the real action.

 

[Emmy]

Dear BloodFire. You had good replies, and I too, agree most earnestly, if any scaring is done, it is wrong. Jesus told us to love God with all our being, He is worthy to be loved. Jesus also told us, to love each other, to reat each other, as we would like to treated ourselves. Jesus also told us, if we choose to go our own way, to be selfish and unkind, we will end up in outer darkness, where there can be heard loud wailing, and gnashing of teeth. It is something, people do, when they realise how wrong they are, how they have missed the chance, to believe Jesus, to trust God, who loves us, and wants to be with us for all eternity. It is not easy to love, and be kind always, but Jesus promised to help us, and to guide us. And once you start being kind and considerrate, to all around you, you will find that your love just keeps on growing, people will become kinder too. We have many years to learn, BloodFire, and Jesus will be there too, you will find, it becomes easier and easier. Christianity is a personal relationship with our Lord, He wants to come and live in our hearts. I say this humbly and with asssurance, and sed greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[BloodFire]

let me just explain sth babes... your all preaching to a mormon. i consider us to be worshipping the same God.. some people dnt consider me to be worshipping the same God... i do. bt people still tell me im gonna burn in hell forever... it almost feelslike people are trying to scare me away frm what i believe..... im told things like hey your a cult member........ your gonna be married to some1 with 10 wives...... your brainwashed and of course your going to hell and wont ever see God b/c you rejected Him.. even tho i dnt... i hope this helps a bit as to why im so confused thats why i ask this... b/c there is so much abt love in Christ n stuff..

 

[heron]

it almost feelslike people are trying to scare me away frm what i believe..... im told things like hey your a cult member........ your gonna be married to some1 with 10 wives.

I could imagine. I know someone who became Mormon at a time in their life when a lot of worldly evils surrounded them, and I think Mormonism was a sort of respite from it all... a safe zone where people would care about each other.

This is what Christian life is for most Christians... but then, we get on the forum and rip each other apart. Not very consistent, are we.

 

[BloodFire]

Not very consistent, are we.

LOL nt at all. sometimes i wonder "hmmm is this the famous christian love?" b/c sometimes i feel a bit you know..

 

[heron]

Yeah. We all feel that way here! I think there are a lot of people who invested a lot of time and effort into their faith, and then what they know to be true is challenged or not respected.... it's confusing to find such diversity when we think that the Christian message is so clear. Basically, I think there are a lot of great people here but we're not listening to each other well.

 

[BloodFire]

Basically, I think there are a lot of great people here but we're not listening to each other well.

LOL when the people listen to each other.. then maybe ill listen! a religion cant preach to me when they are so split and disagree w/ each other so much.. its like saying "yes God loves you" to me and then saying "YOU KNOW NOTHING" to someone else.. whos IN that religion! with friends like this... who needs enemies?!!!

 

[heron]

LOL when the people listen to each other.. then maybe ill listen! a religion cant preach to me when they are so split and disagree w/ each other so much.. its like saying "yes God loves you" to me and then saying "YOU KNOW NOTHING" to someone else.. whos IN that religion! with friends like this... who needs enemies?!!!

Do I laugh or do I cry...

People will always cause trouble, no matter where you go. What's important is your connection with God. Even a best friend can misunderstand you, or a sister can betray. God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.

 

[LoveAlways]

No. My witness to how God is working in my life is by example not by lip service. It's easier for someone see how God is working in your life just by living it..not by standing on the street corner preaching about the end of the world.

I agree. If I told a non-believer that they'd go to Hell just for not believing in Jesus, they'd probably laugh in my face. To me, it's the most illogical part of Christianity and the worst way to bring someone to Christ.

 

[MelissaShae]

You have been told why we think Christianity is right but until you hear it from God, all we are saying are words without meaning. You have to want to be a Christian and no matter how much we witness to you or preach the word to you, you are the one who decides what you want to believe. So instead of asking us why Christianity is right, why not seek those answers thru God?

 

[BloodFire]

You have been told why we think Christianity is right but until you hear it from God, all we are saying are words without meaning. You have to want to be a Christian and no matter how much we witness to you or preach the word to you, you are the one who decides what you want to believe. So instead of asking us why Christianity is right, why not seek those answers thru God?

i feel as though God has answered my beliefs through mormonism. sure it has some flaws esp with the doctrine of man... bt at least i dont feel like im being intimidated.. wd God send people to eternal hell? that doesnt sound very Godly or right.

 

[MelissaShae]

i feel as though God has answered my beliefs through mormonism. sure it has some flaws esp with the doctrine of man... bt at least i dont feel like im being intimidated.. wd God send people to eternal hell? that doesnt sound very Godly or right.

God does not send us to hell, we send ourselves when we refuse to follow the Lord. Our sins send us to hell if we do not repent. And for those of us who do follow God's word, every word not just the ones we like and agree with, we are okay with this because we know that God does not send us to hell and that we can repent and follow Jesus Christ and we will have everlasting life. I feel as though some people have to make excuses about their behavor and that it is okay to do what they want because it isn't "godly" to send people to hell, well if you get right with Jesus Christ then you won't have to worry about going to hell.

And who are you to judge what is godly or ungodly about God? He is everything Holy and we are not to judge him, He is to judge us!!

 

[BloodFire]

God does not send us to hell, we send ourselves when we refuse to follow the Lord. Our sins send us to hell if we do not repent. And for those of us who do follow God's word, every word not just the ones we like and agree with, we are okay with this because we know that God does not send us to hell and that we can repent and follow Jesus Christ and we will have everlasting life. I feel as though some people have to make excuses about their behavor and that it is okay to do what they want because it isn't "godly" to send people to hell, well if you get right with Jesus Christ then you won't have to worry about going to hell.

And who are you to judge what is godly or ungodly about God? He is everything Holy and we are not to judge him, He is to judge us!!

i follow every commandment God gives me. i have faith in Jesus Christ... i read the Bible.. pray... go to church.. i confess Jesus is the Christ and God raised him frm the dead.. i repent of all my sins.. yet i still get threats abt going to hell.

im nothing to judge God. yet that does not sound like something God would do. God loves the world and knows us all. why send us to hell because of our own free will if He knew we would go to hell in th first place????

 

[MelissaShae]

i follow every commandment God gives me. i have faith in Jesus Christ... i read the Bible.. pray... go to church.. i confess Jesus is the Christ and God raised him frm the dead.. i repent of all my sins.. yet i still get threats abt going to hell.

im nothing to judge God. yet that does not sound like something God would do. God loves the world and knows us all. why send us to hell because of our own free will if He knew we would go to hell in th first place????

So if you follow God's word then how did you miss that there is a hell and that sins and not being re-born will get you there. God said it and it stands. If God was going to create everyone without free will and to obey him because they are programmed that way, then why would there even be an earth, we would already be in Heaven.

 

[MethodMan]

Alright

Lets keep things a bit more civil here

 

[BloodFire]

So if you follow God's word then how did you miss that there is a hell and that sins and not being re-born will get you there. God said it and it stands. If God was going to create everyone without free will and to obey him because they are programmed that way, then why would there even be an earth, we would already be in Heaven.

i'm against the belief that there is one eternal place and we dnt get a chance to repent. face it... its "believe in Me or go to hell forever" in christian circles.. yet God is all loving... it sounds like doublethink.......... Jesus said by their fruit you will know them... and i agree w what gandhi said!mayb you guys cant see it.. bt when you bear the brunt of "MORMONISMS A CULT YOU WORSHIP JOSEPH SMITH YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HELL FOR BELIEVING IN A FALSE JESUS"... by their fruits you will know them.
it hurts my feelings and instead of learning why christianit is right.. i feel like im being told why mormonism is wrong.. or jst being insulted sometimes.